Shortage forces practice to shut

THE national GP shortage has taken its toll on a NSW practice, which will close its doors early next month after a six-month advertising campaign failed to attract any applications.

Patients of the 419 Crown Street Medical practice in Wollongong will now be forced to travel outside the area, as local practices won’t be able to take on the extra load. 

Illawarra Division of General Practice CEO Dr Andrew Dalley said the situation had been exacerbated when NSW Health declined to award the practice area of need status, which would have permitted it to advertise the position overseas.